MA House Overrides Governor's Background Check Veto

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has voted to keep a bill that would require all employees of the state's Gaming Commission to be subject to full criminal background checks and drug screenings.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

State representatives voted unanimously Wednesday to override Governor Deval Patrick's veto on the measure.

The proposed requirement comes in response to the controversy that arose when the commission moved to promote then Interim Executive Director Stan McGee. The executive had been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in the steam room of a Florida resort in 2007. A public outcry forced him to pull his name from consideration.

Patrick said he vetoed the measure because it wasn't necessary since the commission already has power to conduct background checks and drug screenings.

Tristan O’Neill, WAMC News. 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.